Guidelines for developing the management potential of an organic rice farmers group in Chun District, Phayao Province

Abstract

The guidelines for developing the management potential of an organic rice farmers group in Chun District, Phayao Province, in Thailand are investigated. The result revealed that farmers in the strong group had 6.87 years of organic rice cultivation experience, 480.36kg (per rai) of production, and an average net income (per rai) of 4,177.83baht, with being certified only 20.56% by Organic Farming Standards. The hypothesis testing revealed that farmers in strong and weak groups had differing opinions on the potential management operation at a statistical level of 0.05 in seven aspects. These consisted of leader and management, operation planning, marketing management, knowledge and information management, member management, product management, and operation. Therefore, the guidelines for developing the management potential of an organic rice farmers group in Chun District, Phayao Province were three aspects of development as creating a new generation of farmers as a leader, developing group management process and making the development plan of the potential organic rice production for members continuously. In addition, the relevant government agencies should promote mentoring as the tool of transferring knowledge and production skills, exchanging experience, and connecting to the market for learning between two groups of farmers. They must advise, support and assist the farmers in implementing operations to achieve the goal effectively, especially in the early stage of farmers are promoted the organic rice production to farmers.